CHAPTER EIGHT

Jaina finished the final powerdown sequences and tugged off her gloves. She rolled her head from side to side to work out the tightness in her neck while she waited for the cockpit canopy of her X-Wing to rise. Then she stretched her arms in front of her before hopping over the edge of her starfighter and dropping smoothly to the ground without waiting for a boarding ladder.

She hardly had adjusted to the feel of solid floor beneath her feet when a familiar voice called out to her from across the Chiss battlecruiser's main hangar.

"Jaina!"

She turned, and smiled. "Jag!"

He jogged up, then stopped right in front of her, hesitantly. "You came."

She pulled him into a fierce embrace. "As ordered."

"Ordered?"

"Uncle Luke claims he's not conspiring with you, but I'm not sure I believe him."

"He is telling the truth." Jag ran his hands up and down her back. "Besides, I would never have told him to put you in charge of the task force. I would want a commander who remembers to call ahead to be sure she is included in the battle plans."

"Oh. Yeah." Jaina smiled in chagrin as she let him go. "I suppose I should have commed to tell you we were on our way, huh?"

"It's all right. I am just happy that you're here."

"Me too."

Jag's green eyes darted past her for only a second. "So I have to ask. How did Jacen possibly convince your aunt to let him fly the Jade Shadow all the way out here?"

"Makes you wonder if she's feeling well, doesn't it?" They both laughed. "Actually, the hyperdrive in Jacen's X-Wing has been acting up. Mara knows how much it helps to fly your own ship in combat, so she said he could bring his X-Wing in the Shadow's hold. She and Luke are stuck on Mon Cal for Council business for the next few days so it'll be fine."

"As long as he brings her ship back without so much as a scratch."

"Exactly. On pain of death." Jaina smiled. "Look, I've been thinking about what you –"

"Lieutenant Colonel Solo?" From behind her a male voice cut her off.

Jaina spun around, and laughed. "We're a Jedi task force, Garrett. Not a military squadron."

The tall young man nodded an apology, and ran his fingers through his short black hair. His green eyes appraised Jag for just a moment, then met her gaze again. "Right. Anyway, the rest of us are heading to the mess. Valin is insisting we hold you to your word of immediate food."

"Sounds good," Jaina said. "I'll meet you there in a few."

"Got it, boss," Garrett said. He saluted crisply, spun on his heel with an overdramatic flourish, and jogged off to rejoin the other Jedi across the hangar.

The promise of getting to eat right away when they arrived had been the bribe Jaina had used to get her team to leave a few hours sooner. She looked over to see Jacen, Tyria, Alema Rar, and most of all Valin Horn making desperate plate-to-mouth motions with their hands. Jaina shook her head and laughed, and threw them a quick approving wave. When she turned back to Jag, his face was an unreadable mask.

"That's Garrett Trace," she told him, answering the unasked question.

"From Anaxes? The one who single-handedly destroyed the worldship at Osarian?"

"That's him."

"I didn't know he was a Jedi."

Jaina shrugged. "Neither did he. No one did. Only after the war was over did Uncle Luke get a chance to test him."

"That is understandable."

"He's only been in training a few months. He's got a lot to learn about using the Force to aid him more effectively when he's flying. But he's a natural pilot with it anyway, raw talent-wise."

"I see."

She furrowed her brow. "Is something the matter?"

"No."

Jaina wasn't sure she believed him, but there was no use in pressing the point. "So, has the balance of forces in the system changed since that status report we got before we went into hyperspace?"

Jag blinked. "No. No, it has not."

"That's good," she said. Her stomach rumbled, and she realized she was hungrier than she'd thought. "I've really got to get something to eat, and they're expecting me. Why don't you join us?"

"I wish I could," he replied. "But I'm afraid I have too much to do right now. Our battle strategies have to be adjusted to include your task force. And since I did not know you were coming, I also do not have a briefing ready for your team. I should prepare that right away."

She laughed. "Yeah, that'd be good. Thanks."

"Of course."

"Can you at least walk me to the mess?"

"I would love to."

She headed toward the doors on the rear wall of the docking bay, and he followed her. "I think we stand a pretty good chance of holding off the Achebians if they attack, don't you?"

"I think so, yes."

"I know we're still outnumbered pretty badly, but with your squadron and my team I think we actually hold the advantage."

Jag chuckled. "I am not sure I would go quite that far."

Jaina laughed, and slugged him in the shoulder. "Don't be modest. Your squadron alone makes a huge difference."

"I suppose it does."

"And now you've got me here to back you up."

He glanced down at her, and one corner of his mouth had curled up just a bit. "What makes you think I will leave anything for you to clean up after?"

She grinned at him. "You do a good job of hiding it sometimes, Jag, but it really is Corellian blood pumping in your veins."

He nodded once. "Guilty as charged."

"Do you think they're going to attack?"

"Unfortunately, yes." He blew out a sigh. "The Vikovans have made several reasonable settlement offers, but the Achebians refuse to agree to any terms. Even when the Vikovans made concessions greater than I would have in their place."

"So it really does look like war."

"Yes."

Almost reflexively Jaina reached down for the lightsaber hanging from her belt and the blaster pistol on her hip. "Well, I guess we'll just have to make sure they regret that choice."

"Yes. I am certain we will see to that together."

She looked up at him. "Together, huh?"

"Yes." He paused, but didn't say anything more.

"Well, we're here," she said, stopping in the corridor just outside the open portal to the mess. "I have time to enjoy my food before you're ready to brief us, right?"

"Yes. It will take me at least that long."

"You know…" She grinned mischievously. "I could eat fast, if you want."

"Why?"

"To leave time for a pre-briefing debriefing in the conference room. I might even lock the door this time."

He blinked again. "Jaina, I…"

"I'll leave it up to you," she said, shaking her head and chuckling. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me."

"All right."

"Good. Go get to work, and write me a really amazing briefing." She reached out and squeezed his hand quickly. "I'll see you then?"

He nodded silently.

"Jag?"

He met her gaze. "I will see you then."

"Great!"

Jag nodded again, slowly, and turned on his heel to walk back down the corridor.

Jaina took a slow, happy deep breath as she watched him stride quickly away – four years later he still looked awfully good from all angles. Then she turned around to head into the mess. Just as she reached the open portal, though, a figure that seemed to appear from nowhere stepped into her path.

The tall blonde woman extended her hand graciously. "You must be Jaina Solo."

"Yes, I am," Jaina replied.

"I am Iliana," the striking beauty said, smiling down at her knowingly. "Your wingmates told me I might find you here."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace."

"The pleasure is all mine. I must extend my deepest thanks that you and your task force have come to the defense of my planet."

Jaina tipped her head. Another politician with a pretty face, fancy words, and an empty head. Once you'd met one you'd met them all – and sometimes Jaina wondered if it was her destiny to actually have to meet them all. She sure hoped not. "We are proud to serve."

Iliana tipped her head in return. "I am certain the Jedi presence here will turn the tide in our favor. My people will owe your Masters a debt of gratitude."

"That won't be necessary. We are Jedi. Preventing unjustified aggression is one of our primary responsibilities in the galaxy."

"Very well. I am confident you will carry out your duties admirably."

"We'll do our best." Jaina took a quick breath to prevent her stomach from growling audibly in the Vikovan leader's presence. One diplomatic incident this week was enough. "I'm sure that along with your forces and the Chiss squadron, we'll be more than strong enough to succeed."

"We can hope," Iliana said. "Ambassador Fel's unit is most impressive."

"Yes, it is."

"You must be pleased to have an ally of his caliber."

"I am." Jaina smiled. "There's no one else I'd rather have up there with me in a furball than Jag."

Iliana smiled back. "That is… understandable."

Before Jaina could figure out why something just didn't feel right all of a sudden, a young Vikovan officer rushed through the open portal. He snapped to attention at Iliana's side and saluted her. "Urgent bulletin, Your Grace."

Immediately Iliana's eyes grew sharp, decisive. "Yes, Lieutenant?"

"The Achebians have fired on one of our patrols in the neutral zone."

"Acknowledged, Lieutenant. Order an immediate red alert," Iliana said. The vacuous regal elegance in her voice was gone, replaced by unnervingly icy confidence. "Convene the emergency response briefing at once."

"As ordered, Your Grace." The young man saluted again, and hurried away.

Iliana looked back at Jaina. "If you came here to fight a war, Jaina Solo, it seems you have flown into one."